CARL Baker is facing a lengthy lay-off after scan results showed the Coventry City midfielder has ruptured ankle ligaments.

The news comes as a big blow to manager Andy Thorn, who is desperate for bodies to help his threadbare squad get the season up and running.

But the Sky Blues boss knows that back-to-back wins from tonight’s Ricoh Arena clash with Blackpool and Saturday’s trip to Barnsley could catapult the club from the bottom three into the top half of the Championship table.

“It never rains but it pours,” said Thorn reflecting on Baker’s bad news.

“We just want everyone back because the young boys have done well but they need looking after.

“Carl’s scan showed he’s got ruptured ligaments so he’ll be out for a while.

"We’re not sure how long at the moment, maybe four to five weeks I’d imagine, but he hasn’t got to have an operation and hopefully he’ll be a quick healer.

“Gary Deegan is back on the bench which is good and Richard Wood is back training as well so it is nice to have a couple of faces back.”

There are still no signs of any loan players coming in but Thorn remains upbeat and confident in the tools he has got to work with, adding: “To be fair, apart from the Ipswich game, I think we have performed well so far this season and we want to maintain the level of performance we’ve had.

“We have just got to keep doing what we’re doing and I am sure the results will turn.”